A tool-kit for cDNA microarray and promoter analysis.

We describe two sets of programs for expediting routine tasks in analysis of cDNA microarray data and promoter sequences. The first set permits bad data points to be flagged with respect to a number of parameters and performs normalization in three different ways. It allows combining of result files into comprehensive data sets, evaluation of the quality of both technical and biological replicates and row and/or column standardization of data matrices. The second set supports mapping ESTs in the genome, identifying the corresponding genes and recovering their promoters, analyzing promoters for transcription factor binding sites, and visual representation of the results. The programs are designed primarily for Arabidopsis thaliana researchers, but can be adapted readily for other model systems. Availability and Supplementary information: http://www.personal.psu.edu/nhs109/Programs/

Suppression of ethanol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by beta-adrenoceptor blockade.

The effects of D,L-propranolol and its resolved epimers on cardiac size in rats given ethanol, or a control diet containing maltose-dextrin, every 8 h by gavage, for 48 h were assessed. Co-treatment with ethanol plus saline for 48 h resulted in increases of approximately 10% in wet and dry heart weights, and in their proportional measures (g/kg body wt). Cardiac protein content was increased similarly. Administration of D,L-propranolol (10, 20 mg/kg), or L-propranolol (5, 10, 20 mg/kg), suppressed the increases in response to ethanol, D-Propranolol (10, 20 mg/kg) was ineffective in attenuating ethanol-induced increases in heart weights and protein content. Values of total cardiac DNA and fractional water content were unaffected by any of the treatments. Adrenaline and noradrenaline levels in urine were elevated during 48 h of intoxication in all rats given ethanol. The results suggest that severe, subacute intoxication with ethanol induces cardiac hypertrophy. Further, the data implies that the hypertrophy is mediated through activation of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors.

Rapid uptake and esterification of arachidonic acid and other fatty acids by microfilariae of Brugia malayi.

We have examined the differential incorporation and esterification of exogenous fatty acids by microfilariae of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. Microfilariae incubated with 2 nM [3H]arachidonic acid over 1 h rapidly took up this fatty acid. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were also incorporated by parasites. In contrast to these other fatty acids, little incorporated arachidonic acid remained as free fatty acid within microfilariae. Arachidonate was rapidly esterified into phospholipids, with 66% of incorporated arachidonate esterified into phospholipids at 1 min. Esterification of other fatty acids into phospholipids was quantitatively lesser and occurred into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Arachidonate was preferentially esterified into phosphatidylinositol, which constituted only 10% of the total parasite phospholipid pool, and into phosphatidylcholine. By 1 min these two phospholipid classes, respectively, comprised 53% and 43% of [3H]arachidonyl-phospholipids. Neither the microfilarial incorporation of arachidonate nor its esterification into parasite phospholipids could be saturated by noncytotoxic concentrations of up to 600 microM. Microfilariae, which in vivo are exposed to arachidonate in blood, can rapidly, avidly and with high capacity incorporate exogenous arachidonate and esterify it preferentially into specific classes of phospholipids, including phosphatidylinositol. Like many mammalian cells, these phylogenetically distinct metazoan parasites possess efficient means for utilizing host-derived arachidonic acid.

Multiple axis image reconstruction from axial transverse data.

The technique for alternate axis reconstruction from axial transverse computed tomography data is presented. The utility of the method as an adjunct to diagnosis, radiotherapy treatment planning, and tumor biopsy is discussed. The relative radiation dose and resolution characteristics between this and other methods are compared.